Lightning sign defenseman Matt Corrente

TAMPA BAY - The Tampa Bay Lightning, NHL parent club of the Syracuse Crunch, have signed defenseman Matt Corrente to a one-year, two-way contract, vice president and general manager Steve Yzerman announced today.

View full sizeMatt Corrente signed a one-year, two-way contract with the Tampa Bay Lightning on July8, 2014.Gregg Forwerck

Corrente, 26, skated in 72 games with the Charlotte Checkers of the American Hockey League last season, collecting two goals and 11 points to go along with 136 penalty minutes. He ranked tied for first on the Checkers for plus/minus with a plus-9 rating. The Mississauga, Ontario native also led all Charlotte skaters for penalty minutes. Corrente set career highs in 2013-14 for games played and plus/minus.

The 6-foot, 205-pound defenseman has appeared in 34 career NHL games, all with the New Jersey Devils over parts of two seasons, posting six assists and 68 penalty minutes. He appeared in two postseason games with the Devils during the 2010 Stanley Cup Playoffs. Corrente's last two games played in the NHL were both against the Lightning during the 2010-11 regular season. Corrente has also appeared in 235 career AHL games, recording 15 goals and 62 points.

Corrente was originally drafted by New Jersey in the first round, 30th overall, at the 2006 NHL Draft.